SCHOOL BUS CRASH REPORTS 2007

Woman Flown to Medical Center; 3 Students Treated, Released
March 13, 2007

SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS — A Hazleton woman was flown for medical treatment and three students were driven to a local hospital after a North Schuylkill school bus collided with a car Monday afternoon.

The crash scene was the notorious Y intersection of routes 924 and 4033 a mile north of Shenandoah, according to West Mahanoy Township Police Chief Albert J. Drumheller Sr.

The driver of the car, a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, was Randa Faraj 118 W. Second St., Hazleton, Drumheller said.

According to Schuylkill County Communications Center Supervisor Scott Lipsett, the driver was flown by University MedEvac 7 from the Shenandoah helipad.

Suffering internal injuries, Faraj was admitted to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Drumheller said. She was in stable condition Monday night, according to the nursing supervisor on duty.

Meanwhile the three students, who Drumheller said complained of pain, were transported by Lost Creek Ambulance to Saint Catherine Medical Center Fountain Springs, Lipsett said.

The students were treated and released, the center’s emergency room nurse, Tammy Sullivan, said Monday night.

The bus driver, Luke J. Timmons, 1118 W. Centre St., Shenandoah, may have received a minor injury to his hand, North Schuylkill Superintendent Robert E. Franklin Jr. said Monday afternoon.

“One thing I do know is the kids are saying he did a super job controlling the bus,” Franklin added.

West Mahanoy Township police are still investigating the crash, the chief said.

According to his preliminary investigation, the chief said the accident happened at 3:16 p.m., according to the communications center.

Drumheller said the school bus was headed north on Route 924, taking 68 children home from the North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School, Fountain Springs, to the Ringtown area. As Timmons approached the Y-intersection with Shenandoah Road, the chief said Faraj pulled out in front of the bus.

“The bus driver stated he was unable to avoid the car and struck it in the driver side door, forcing it to the side of the highway,” Drumheller said in a news release Monday night. “The bus then continued across the roadway, hitting the embankment before coming to a stop.”

Faraj’s car sustained major damage. Both of its air bags deployed. The driver was removed from the car by Shenandoah ambulance personnel, the chief said. The car was towed from the scene.

The school bus sustained front end damage and was also towed, the chief said.

Police were assisted on scene by Shenandoah Heights firefighters.

“Thank goodness those buses are built like tanks,” John Leonhardt, North Schuylkill School District transportation director, said Monday evening. “An accident like this is a parent’s biggest nightmare. We have heard some reports of the driver’s courageous actions in handling the bus and preventing serious injuries,” Leonhardt said.

Leonhardt said a list of every child on the bus enabled the district to alert parents. Another bus heading in the same direction picked the students up and continued on the route.

“We contacted all of them and alerted them of the situation,” Leonhardt said. “We will touch base again tomorrow to make sure every child is OK.”

When asked Monday night if the district will evaluate the incident, high school Assistant Principal Dennis Kergick said, “I’m sure the superintendent and the business manager and the transportation coordinator are going to take a look at it.”

“I’m just thankful that no student or the driver were seriously injured,” Franklin added.

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